The Cherished Wife



"The Saint Di endorsement is really still mine?" Winter asked.

"Why would I lie to you? Mr. Wells himself just called and wants you to swing by the office tomorrow. You've missed out on a bunch of work with all the drama lately. I mean, come on. Royal Star Entertainment wouldn't just ignore you. They shelled out big bucks to bring you on board!"

Winter's face clouded over for a moment, but she kept quiet. "What's the second thing?"

"Oh, the second thing is about that movie, Unchallenged Dominion-you've heard of it, right?"

"Unchallenged Dominion? The one Taylor Williams wrote? It's funded by Royal Star Entertainment, and I think Hank Lopez is directing, right? They haven't picked the cast yet, have they? I heard they're scouting talent nationwide."

"Well, that's the official line, but Mr. Wells just rang me up and dropped a bombshell. He wants you to play the role of Saphronia, the second lead."

"For real?" Winter's eyes lit up, and she was suddenly all fired up. She tossed aside her blanket and leaped out of bed, flicking on the light, plopping down at her makeup table, and gazing into the mirror. "Jane, you're not pulling my leg, are you?"

"Why on earth would I do that? How would that benefit me? Sure, it's 'just' the second lead, but this is a blockbuster we're talking about. Nail this movie, and when it hits the screens, who will care about those rumors? You'll be back on top, showing all the naysayers they bet on the wrong horse."

"Right! Okay, that's awesome. Jane, I owe you one!"

"Don't worry about it. We're

practically family, right? Just hit the hay and get some beauty sleep. Get all dolled up tomorrow morning. I' send a car to pick you up from the Shaws and we'll jet over to Royal Star Entertainment to shoot that commercial. Oh, and I've got to double-check some stuff with Mr. Wells at Unchallenged Dominion tomorrow." novelbin

"Mm-hmm!"

The good news made Winter bounce back from her bad mood. She did a few victory laps around her room before crashing out big time in the middle of the night.

Still riding that high, Winter was up at dawn the next day, way ahead of schedule.

Jade, fretting over Winter, rose with the sun too. She was taken aback to find Winter already downstairs, all gussied up. Seeing Winter looking like a million bucks, Jade said, "Winter, you're heading out? Are you leaving this early?"

"Yep, Mom. I'm about to head out."

Winter flashed a grin that could light up the room. Noticing Jade's anxious vibe, she dashed over and linked arms with her. "Don't sweat it, Mom I'm all good. Guess what? I'm off to shoot that ad, the Saint Di one I mentioned before."

"Saint Di? The line from Collosus Group? Didn't you say it was pretty much a no-go?" Jade was floored but mostly stoked. "For real? If that's the case, that's the best news ever!"

"Mom, it's not just that. Unchallenged Dominion has cast me as the second lead in their next blockbuster!"

"That's absolutely fantastic. I've

always known our Winter was a

et

star," Jade exclaimed, wrapping Winter tightly. "Those ridiculous rumors and the people trying to drag you down will get what's coming to them. However, then, as if a thought struck her, Jade frowned. "Hold on. Who's pulling strings to land you such an awesome gig right now?"

"It's probably Charles. My agent told me his assistant called her out of the blue last night to say I got the part," Winter replied with a bashful grin. "Aren't you thrilled, Mom?"